Abbot 140 Capital Campaign

Campaign Message from Library Board of Trustees Chair

Dear Marbleheaders,

As many of you may know, the Library Board and Staff have been studying options for updating our facility for the last seven years. We are now in the position of acting on all that work by combining the urgent need to replace all our infrastructure systems with a plan to reallocate and redesign space to meet the demands of 21st century users. Our proposed $9 million campaign will not expand the library’s footprint, but it will totally transform the space inside with expanded and robust technology, learning nooks, a fireside reading and coffee area, a young adult area, a “maker space” project room, a business center, a quiet reading room, access to our garden, and an information zone.

We started this change with a complete make over a year ago of the Children’s Room, thanks largely to the Killam Trust, and of the Meeting Room, supported by the Shattuck, Morse and Ingalls Funds. All the architectural planning to date has been paid for by privately raised funds. The response to the newly renovated spaces has been astounding. Attendance is up and enthusiasm is obvious. We know that we can replicate that experience for library patrons with the spaces and services that we have in mind as part of this ambitious plan.

We now turn to our community, as the Library has always done since it was established in 1878, and ask for your support, as a donor or a community advocate. The library is the heart or our town and remains one of our most used public facilities, connecting and educating our community for free. All you need is interest and a library card!

I look forward to you joining us on this journey.

Warm regards,

Phyllis Smith
Chair

Campaign Summary

Why We Need To Renovate Our Library Now

The Town of Marblehead faces critical infrastructure needs at the Library (last updated in 1989)

$250K Killam Challenge Grant for the Young Adult Center
A grant made on the condition that other contributions will be secured, in this case on a 1:1 basis, and within a specified period of time. The objective is to encourage expanded giving from additional sources in the community